Omar Fateh

Omar Fateh is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 62, which includes portions of south Minneapolis in Hennepin County. He is the first Somali American and Muslim to serve in the Minnesota Senate.[1]

Omar Fateh
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 62nd district
Assumed office
January 5, 2021
Preceded byJeff Hayden
Personal details
Political partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
ResidenceMinneapolis, Minnesota
Alma materGeorge Mason University
Occupationlegislator

Early life and education

Fateh was born in Washington DC, and is the son of immigrants from Somalia. His Father, Mohamud Fatah, and his mother, Amina Ali hail from the "Reer Fatah" and "Reer Garaad" subclans of the Warsangali tribe, respectfully. His father immigrated to the United States in 1963 on a college scholarship, and attended Montana State University, Boozeman. His mother later immigrated to New York in the mid-70's. [2] Fateh graduated from Falls Church High School and later earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from George Mason University.[3]

Minnesota Senate

Fateh was an unsuccessful candidate for District 62A of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018. In 2020, he announced a primary challenge to incumbent Senator Jeff Hayden. A self-declared Democratic socialist, Fateh received support from groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America and the Sunrise Movement.[4] He also received the endorsement of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in a party convention.[5] Fateh defeated Hayden in the August primary, winning 54% to 45%,[6] and was elected to the Minnesota Senate with 88.99% of the vote in the general election.[7]

Personal life

Fateh is married to Kaltum Mohamed. They currently live in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis.[2]

See also
  • List of Democratic Socialists of America who have held office in the United States

References
  1. Jackson, Zoe (January 1, 2021). "New state senator's Socialist ambitions will face reality at Minnesota State Capitol". Star Tribune.
  2. "Join the Movement". Omar Fateh for MN Senate 62.
  3. "Legislators Past and Present - Legislator Record - Fateh, Omar". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.
  4. Peters, Joey (August 11, 2020). "Progressive challenger Omar Fateh defeats longtime State Senator Jeff Hayden in Minnesota's Democratic primary". Sahan Journal. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  5. Peters, Joey (May 7, 2020). "Two newcomers oust DFL veterans to win party endorsement for Minnesota legislature". Sahan Journal. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  6. Gotlieb, Nate (August 12, 2020). "Ilhan Omar wins big; Fateh ousts Hayden". Southwest Journal. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  7. ""Results for State Senator District 62"". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
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